Apple has appointed John Browett as their new Senior Vice President of Retail. Mr Browett will be leaving his position of CEO of Dixons Retail, Europe’s largest specialist electrical retailer.

“Our retail stores are all about customer service, and John shares that commitment like no one else we’ve met,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We are thrilled to have him join our team and bring his incredible retail experience to Apple.”

Prior to taking the reins of the Dixon Group, Browett also held high positions within Tesco plc and even had the CEO role for Tesco.com. Browett replaces former retail head, Ron Johnson who left Apple in the summer of last year to take the post of CEO at JC Penney.

Full press release below.

John Browett Joins Apple as Senior Vice President of Retail

CUPERTINO, California—January 30, 2012—Apple® today announced that John Browett will join the company as senior vice president of Retail, reporting to Apple CEO Tim Cook. Browett comes to Apple from European technology retailer Dixons Retail, where he has been CEO since 2007. Beginning in April, he will be responsible for Apple’s retail strategy and the continued expansion of Apple retail stores around the world.

“Our retail stores are all about customer service, and John shares that commitment like no one else we’ve met,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We are thrilled to have him join our team and bring his incredible retail experience to Apple.”

Prior to joining Dixons Retail, Browett held a series of executive positions at Tesco plc including CEO of Tesco.com. Earlier in his career he advised retail and consumer goods clients at Boston Consulting Group. He holds a degree in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University and an MBA from Wharton Business School.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad.

AppleInsider reports that Apple will be bringing mini “store-within-a-store” setups to 25 different Target locations around the country.

The initial opening would be a small start, given that Target, the second-largest discount retail chain in the US, operates 1752 stores in the US. Apple has opened 359 of its own retail stores globally, 245 of which are in the US.

Apple is likely just testing the waters with Target, which should ultimately help expand their reach in the retail space. Apple already does this at the largest electronics retail outlet, Best Buy, with around 600 mini “Apple Shops” that have been met with great success.

Apple will presumably focus on iOS devices at first — iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and iPod touch — as well as their standalone music players like the iPod Classic and iPod Nano.

Source: AppleInsider

Apple has made their special, internal celebration of Steve Jobs’ life video available on their website. It included talks from Apple CEO Tim Cook, SVP of Design Jony Ive, board members Al Gore and Bill Campbell, and performances from Norah Jones and Cold Play.

Of course you can still submit your thoughts on Steve’s passing to Apple, which are now also appearing on the Apple site.

You can go and watch the video at the Apple website, via the link below.

Source: Apple

According to a tip over at MacRumors (which has since been confirmed by store representatives), RadioShack will begin offering the iPad 2 for sale across 500 US retail locations starting tomorrow.

We are thrilled that iPad 2 will be available at 500 RadioShack locations across the country starting March 29! Details have been sent to these stores.

With online orders still pushing 3-4 weeks and most Apple Stores selling out shortly after receiving shipments, taking your chances at a 3rd party physical location like RadioShack has its benefits. With Apple adding RadioShack as a sales channel this may help ease strain on local availability across retail outlets, making it easier to pick one up without ordering online.

Any readers planning on hitting up your local RadioShack tomorrow? Let us know in the comments!

[MacRumors]

Target has announced that it will begin selling iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS throughout 846 retail stores beginning on November 7th. Target will also offer quick in-store activation for purchasers and “expert support” to all of their customers.

At Target we continue to offer our guests the best in electronics so we’re happy to add iPhone to our Target Mobile offerings

This will instantly expand access to the iPhone 3GS and the newer, more popular iPhone 4 to an even broader number of shoppers, especially getting into the holiday season.

So anyone planning to stop by Target for an iPhone?  Let us know in the comments!

[Target]

MacRumors says they are recieving several reports from their sources claiming that Apple is ready to debut their official retail store application for all iOS devices.

“Apple is planning to launch a new iOS application tomorrow that will offer customers access to the company’s online store and iPhone pre-ordering, as well as the ability to book Genius Bar appointments at brick-and-mortar retail stores.”

MacRumors also claims to have gotten word from a customer who emailed Steve Jobs last month regarding the possibility of an iPhone-friendly online Apple Store and received a reply of “Coming soon” from Jobs. This is one of those applications that we figured to have seen in the App Store long ago but with iPhone 4 pre-orders taking place tomorrow, the timing seems perfect.

[MacRumors]

Engadget points out that Best Buy has just sent out a press release stating that they will be offering up iPhone 4 pre-sales starting tomorrow, June 15th. Of course you will have to take a ride to your local Best Buy location as the pre-ordering is not allowed on their website.

“Beginning June 15, Best Buy Mobile, the mobile specialty retail unit of Best Buy Co. Inc (NYSE: BBY), launches its pre-sale of iPhone 4 from Apple. Pre-sale orders can be placed at any Best Buy or Best Buy Mobile standalone store nationwide. The iPhone 4 will land in Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile stores June 24.”

So now you have two choices for tomorrow if you are planning on pre-ordering. How many of our readers plan on visiting a Best Buy tomorrow?

Sound off in the comments below!

[Engadget]

According to a source, AppleInsider says that within a few weeks the larger Apple Retail locations will have a new “Expert” position to fill that will serve as a roaming counterpart to existing “Geniuses”. The job description directly on Apple’s site says this position is not only available to current Apple employees who are seeking a promotion, but to anyone outside of the company that is capable and has a good amount of retail experience

“As an Expert, you’re not new to retail; you’ve had years of experience learning about and selling great products, either at the Apple Retail Store or elsewhere. What sets you apart as an Expert is the longing to take your game up a notch, to commit to a life-changing career where the challenges—and rewards—are greater than ever before.”

Interviews are rumored to begin this week, any of our reader’s ready to send in their resume?

[Via Apple Insider]

Ever since Apple rolled out their iPod touch based EasyPay POS to some of it’s retail stores they have been flooded with inquires from other retailers looking to get in on the Apple goodness. It was just a a few short weeks ago that certain Apple retail stores ditched their crash prone Windows CE + stylus based EasyPay point-of-sale devices and since then it has raised the curiosity of other retailers.

“Since the debut of the iPod POS, inquires have been coming from all directions, including from end-user small businesses, larger chains and system integrators. Until now, Apple’s response has been that the iPod POS is a proprietary product, unavailable for sale,” Allen said. “But now, tipsters say, Apple retail executives have asked the retail store business specialists to collect contact information from anyone who inquires about the iPod touch system, apparently to create a database of potential customers if Apple decides to commercialize the product.”

The EasyPay POS system is capable of handling all cash, credit, and debit transactions along with some product returns. Would this be an Apple-like move to sell this device for other retailers to use? Sound off in the comments!

[Via AppleInsider]

Well the day that has been oh so talked about here at TiPb has finally come. The black 8GB iPhone 3G model for $197, and the 16GB black or white model for $297. So much for those $99 rumors although, you will save a measly $2 compared to buying it at Apple or Best Buy (though AT&T does have the 8GB for $99 refurbished).

So pick your poison. If you do happen to pick one up at your local Walmart, please share your experience in the comments!

[Via Gizmodo. Thanks to Alan Weinkrantz for the video]

There have been a few rumors regarding the iPhone 3G and Wal-Mart. It turns out the chances of the last one happening, that Wal Mart would sell a 4GB iPhone for $99, are slim to none at this point. Are you really that shocked? What does seem to be true is the iPhone is still coming to Wal-Mart, just $2.00 cheaper than Apple, AT&T, and Best Buy — $197 and $297.

Mac Rumors received Wal-Mart training materials and advertising. They are also saying the iPhone 3G, 8GB and 16GB, will be available on December 28th. So there you have it, 8GB and 16GB iPhone 3G’s at a Wal Mart low price… $2.00 below is lower but seriously… HTC G1 users are able to get that device $50 cheaper at Wal-Mart.

[Via Mac Rumors and thanks to The Reptile for the tip]

Does anyone remember the good old days when you could walk into a Apple store and walk right out with an iPhone that was not opened or activated via an Apple store employee? Well those days are long gone but Apple did make one step in the right direction with their new smart buying process.

This process basically allows you to start the buying process at home instead of doing it all in store. You enter in all of your billing information, review your eligibility and pricing options, and the final step consists of you selecting your AT&T rate plan.

Once you’re done, choose your closest Apple Retail Store and let us know when you’d like to come in to complete your purchase.** An Apple Specialist will be ready to help you personalize your new iPhone 3G, make calls, browse the web, receive email, and more.

What is the downside to all of this you ask? Well you still have to go to the store to get your phone… I know… it’s a downer. Apple should have made this option available on July 11th, I’m sure it would have cut down on the wait times in all of their stores.

If anyone is in the market for a new iPhone and uses this method on Apple’s web site, let us know how it goes!

(Via AppleInsider)